Call for wider travel policies

Press, 21 April 1979, Page 22

Call for wider travel policies

PA Auckland The risk of New Zealanders becoming the innocent victims of a terrorist shooting or vengeful act against authority were high enough to warrant cover in travel insurance policies, says an Auckland lawyer, Mr J. R. B. Kingston. Mr Kingston, a cotrustee for the Boyd family, of Auckland, five members of which died in the Rhodesian air crash in February, has welcomed the intention of the Consumers’ Institute to investigate travel policices. He said it was wrong that there was no pay-out for personal injury or death as a result of an incident associated with some act of terrorism. Recent Irish republican Arms bombings in Britain highlighted the need for such cover. The director of the Consumers’ Institute (Mr R. J.

Smithies) said it was essential that the traveller in a world where insurrection and rebellion were rife should be able to secure adequate insurance cover to suit his circumstances. Invasion or war was one thing, but an isolated terrorist act was different. Extra premiums might be the answer. Already there are signs that some insurance companies are adjusting their policies to keep pace with modern times. The Southern Cross Medical Care Society’s travel policy has the exclusion clause for hostilities, but it will pay out to people whose travel arrangements are disrupted by hi-jacking. While it is normal practice to include the hostilities exemption clause in travel insurance policies, one Auckland company does not do so, but it has refused to comment.